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Gonorrhea

What is it?
Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men.
The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.

There were 13,063 cases in 1996 but rose to 19,007 in 2006 – an increase of 46%.

Symptoms
It is possible, although rare, to be infected with gonorrhea and have no symptoms. It is easier to spot for men than women, as symptoms are more noticeable in a penis than a vagina.

Women – symptoms may include:

• A change in vaginal discharge. This may increase, change to a yellow or greenish colour and it might smell different.
• A pain or burning sensation when peeing.
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.

• A sore throat – if infected there.

Men – symptoms may include:

• A yellow or green discharge from the penis.
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
• Inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland.

• A sore throat – if infected there.

Want to see it? Very disturbing!!! – click button for photo in new window

How do people get it?
Gonorrhea is passed on by:

• Penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus).
• Oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or genitals to the mouth).
  And less often by:
• Rimming (where a person uses their mouth and tongue to stimulate another person’s anus).
• Inserting your fingers into an infected vagina, anus or mouth and then putting them into your own without washing your hands in between.

• Sharing vibrators or other sex toys.

How is it diagnosed and treated?
A doctor or a nurse at your local sexual health (GUM) clinic will take a sample using a cotton wool or spongy swab or a small plastic loop from any places which may be infected – the cervix, urethra (pee tube), anus or throat. A sample of pee may be taken.
Results take about a week to come through, but if a doctor or nurse thinks you have gonorrhea, you will be treated immediately with antibiotics. These may be tablets or an injection. Treatment is essential.

You should avoid all sexual contact until you are given the all clear by the doctor or nurse at the clinic. If you can, you should let anyone that you have had sexual contact with in the last 3 – 6 months know that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and that they need to be checked out and possibly tested. Staff at the clinic will offer you as much support as you need to do this.

A woman can pass on gonorrhea to her baby if infected at the time of birth. However, treatment with antibiotics when the baby is born is easy and straightforward.

What if it is not treated?
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. This can cause fever, pain and can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy (where the baby begins to grow outside the womb) or giving birth to the baby early.
In men, if left untreated, it can lead to inflammation inside the testicles and prostate gland and may affect fertility.

Where to get help
If you think you may have gonorrhea, contact your local sexual health (GUM) clinic and make an appointment. It’s easy and completely confidential.

For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic.

Links and contact details

Name: NHS Direct Wales
Web: NHS Direct Wales – Health Encyclopedia
Email:
Tel: 0845 46 47
Info: NHS Direct Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day that was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government.

GUM Clinics in South East Wales

ABERDARE
Aberdare General Hospital
Aberdare, CF44 0RF
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening Times: Tue & Thu, 9.30am – 12.30pm

CARDIFF
Cardiff Royal Infirmary
Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0SZ
Tel: 029 2033 5207 / 8
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 8.40 a.m – 5.00 p.m; Wednesday – Closed; Friday Afternoon – Closed (Closed for lunch 12.15 – 1.15 p.m.)

NEWPORT
Royal Gwent Hospital
Cardiff Road, Newport, NP2 2UB
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 12.30pm; 1.30pm – 4.30pm

PONTYPOOL
Panteg County Hospital
Coed-Y-Cric Road, Griffiths Town, Pontypool, NP4 5YA
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon, 5.00pm – 7.30pm

PONTYPRIDD
Students Health Centre
Dewi Sant Hospital
University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening times: Tue, 9.00am – 12.30pm

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